Chapter 9: Nelli

I start to rifle through the old musty smelling box of books that had been left on my porch, when I notice a little children's book.  I see the symbol of the Golden Children's Books printed on it, then a little sticker on the binding indicating that it belongs to the library catches my eye.  Examining it closer, the pages are bent back and discolored, but the book is still in suitable condition.  My nails peel at the tape as I fidget and try to figure out what to do next. Taking a deep breath, I open the cover to discover that there is a single name on the inside.  Nelli Stillson.  Looking over the name and tracing it with my fingers I wonder how the book found its way into this box. 'Should I return it to the library or to the little girl?  Most likely the library has written it off a while ago as missing and bought a new one.  So perhaps I will find the little girl's family and return it to her.  Besides, I have been looking for an adventure." As I get up off the floor of the porch and dust off my sky blue long flowery skirt I feel a sense of purpose, finally.  I turn around and out of the corner of my eye I catch the little neighbor boy John spying on me as he runs for the cover of the bushes. 'John, you need to be faster if you think I didn't see that." I mutter under my breath and smile as I drag the remnants of the box of books into my house.   Wiping my dirt caked hands on my skirt a cloud of dust surrounds me and makes me cough dryly.  I catch a glimpse of my image in the mirror and shriek.  'Good grief!  What a mess.  I really must clean up.  No wonder why poor John ran for it.  I look like a ghost." After laying out a new outfit and taking a shower I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror and notice that I need a haircut and maybe some sun too.  My eyes seem to have sunken in a bit from not eating, but I still look good.  Two green eyes peer back at me as I brush my long red hair and wish that my mom was still here to talk to. Just three weeks earlier she had passed away quite quickly.  No one had expected her to be in the prime of her life and then in one move have it all swept away as the semi slammed into her and stole her vitality away.  'I had just talked to her."  That was the only thing I could keep thinking as everyone lead me into the funeral home viewing. Smacking myself in the face, I bring myself back to reality, 'However, that was three weeks ago and now I must move on.  I feel completely excited with a sense of hope.  After all, things can only look up." Getting dressed and checking on the internet for the address I see that they only live about an hour away, so I decide to just knock on their door and surprise the little girl with the book.  Scanning the skies for the weather, the clouds start to fill in and the warmth of the sun starts to disappear.  A storm is coming, and I must hurry if I am going to beat it to the Stillson's house. As I walk out the door the wind starts to pick up and I smell a hint of rain and ozone in the air.  Picking up my pace, I get to the car just before the rain hits.  I make sure the water didn't touch the little child's book as I put it down and then double check the address on the map.  Putting the car in reverse, I look in the review mirror and see John run across the street just before I hit him.  I slam on my brakes. 'Whew.  That sure was lucky!  Two more seconds and he would have been part of my bumper." Sitting there for a few minutes with my heart racing, I take deep breaths trying to calm down.  I try to imagine the little girl's face smiling from ear to ear when she sees her book back in her hands.  After a few more minutes I manage to contain myself and make my way to the Stillson House. On the way I glance from side to side at the scenery.  The houses all tend to merge into one another as the scape becomes more metropolitan.  Now that the clouds and the storm have subsided it seems to be shaping up into quite a nice day.  The sun is beating down and the birds are singing from the trees.  There is a gentle breeze in the air, and everything seems to be falling into place. 'I guess I shouldn't have worn a light sweater today after all.  Boy it's getting hot and humid out." Driving along, I check to see the remaining course and find out I only have five minutes before arriving at my destination.  I really hadn't thought that far ahead and now that it is time, I am getting a little nervous.  I check my reflection in the rearview mirror and smile to see my pearly white teeth shining back at me.  My red lipstick is flawless, and my hair is a little windblown but still tastefully held back by the hair clip. My phone notifies me I have arrived, and the next turn is the Stillson's driveway.  As I slow down, I notice just how massive a place they have.  It is not a home, it's more akin to a mansion on hundreds of acres of property.  I see a huge English Garden and an expansive driveway that stretches about a half mile back to the house. As I pull up to the gate, I see a button and get out to push it.  I hear a deep gentleman's voice on the other end.  'Name please?" 'Emily Dreasden."  Hesitantly I walk to my car just before I hear the voice again. 'Please come in." I get in quickly and as I start my car the gate opens.  For fear they will realize I don't belong here I rush in and head right for the front doors.  Admittedly, I did not expect what came next.  I arrive at the enormous green metal doors that look like yet another gate and watch as two thirty something year old very well-dressed males stand there waiting for me in full tuxedos. The first one greets me at the car and opens the door for me as my mouth surely must be hanging open.  He gives me a brief smile, 'Ms. Dreasden.  It is so nice to see you.  I am glad you could make it considering the given situation.  We are more than pleased that you have decided to take the position and as I am very sure you know how important keeping Nelli happy is we won't keep her waiting." 'Sir, I think you must have the wrong person.  Honestly, I have just come to drop off a children's book that I found.  May I give it to Nelli and then I will be on my way?" 'No, I am assured that you are indeed the person we are looking for.  Didn't your dear mother just pass away three weeks ago and now you are seeking a job?" 'Yes, but how do you know?  I didn't even know before today that I was coming here.  I just found this book on my front porch this very morning.  Are you sure you are talking about me?" But of course, everything has been taken care of.  Mr. and Mrs. Stillson are awaiting your entrance.  They are having a party this evening and need everything to be taken care of and Nelli under control before the guests arrive.  Please follow me this way." I look from one man to another as they share a strange look between the two of them and then glance over at me pointing.  Hesitantly, I follow them inside as they unlock the front door bolt and then as soon as I am inside, they lock it again.  The hairs on the back of my neck start to raise up as this uneasy feeling starts to take over my subconsciousness.  The book still in hand I ask where Nelli is and receive no answer.  Instead, the man turns to me and then points upstairs with a furrowed brow. 'Ah, there you are Ms. Dreasden.  We have been expecting you.  What perfect timing you have?  My husband will show you around, then you will meet Nelli quickly before everyone else arrives.  Where are your bags?" 'Hmm?  Bags?  I was never told that I was supposed to bring my bags.  I wanted to talk to you.  There seems to be a misunderstanding." 'What my dear?" 'I simply found a book of your daughter's and I came to give it back to her.  I thought it might bring a smile to her little face." 'Well that indeed it might, however we had other plans for you.  See this morning that box was placed on your porch for a reason.  It set plans into motion that you now only will find out.  My neighbor was a dear friend of your mother's, she had heard of you needing a job and we just so happen to need a nanny.  I believe you would be perfect fit for the job." A smile spreads across her cold calculating face as she recalls the way she hooked and reeled me in.  I glance over at Mr. Stillson who seems somewhat uncomfortable and looks like he just wants to bolt out of the room at any moment.  He steps forward and puts his hand on his wife's. 'My dear, it's getting late.  I need to quickly show her everything and then she must meet Nelli before the party.  Hurry now.  Make sure everything is ready for the guests." I watch as Mrs. Stillson sashays away into another room and Mr. Stillson's attention rests on me once again.  He steps to my side and takes my hand as he leads me through each room.  Noticing that as we get to each room, he puts in a pass code in a keypad on the wall the hairs raise up yet again on the back of my neck. 'The code for each room changes every night, but you will always be told in advance of them, so you don't get stuck anywhere." I stop for a brief second.  'Can I ask something?" 'Yes, anything?" 'What is up with all the security?" 'Well, we have a lot of very valuable things here in this house.  Things tend to vanish and then Nelli gets quite upset.  We keep it all under lock and key so there aren't any accidents."  He turns away just before I could see what he is really thinking.